Council amends rules banning guns in parks

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Wilmington City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to reverse a ruling that banned concealed weapons from being carried in city parks and the Cross City Trail.

At the Tuesday night council meeting the council passed an amendment to the city's code that clarifies a ban on bringing handguns onto city property.

The city changed the language to conform to the new language in North Carolina state laws.

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Before anyone gets all riled up, this ONLY applies to CWP holders - those of us that are permitted to carry concealed. Prior to the new state law, we were already permitted to carry concealed in many of these same parks, but some cities / towns went a bit too far with their restrictions. The new state law clarifies what "recreational facilities" are with regard to restrictions local governments can place. Basically, "athletic fields", buildings, pools, and gyms. New Hanover county has updated the signs in their parks, and their web site clarifies that the restrictions are in place only during "events". http://www.nhcgov.com/Parks/Pages/default.aspx

Previously, some cities restricted trails, woods, and the like which could prevent someone using those facilities unable to carry legally for the sole purpose of self protection. That's been fixed, and is now in line with with what has been legal NC in state parks. From what I'm aware of, there has been no cases where a NC CWP holder carrying legally in a park - state or otherwise - has done anything irresponsible.